USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 16
USA > Missouri > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 16
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The first houses in Far West are said to have been log cabins but later some frame houses were built, a portion of the lumber being brought from lower Ray and a portion being whip-sawed. The first house in the new city was built by a man by the name of Ormsby in the summer of 1836. John Whitmer built his house in January, 1837. In the fall of 1836 a large and comfortable school house was built which also was used for city hall and court house and was used for church purposes, being the gathering place of the people on all public gatherings. It stood in the southwest part of the town.
It is interesting to note that, although the Church seems to have placed its stamp of approval upon the selection of this place for their new "Zion", yet in less than a year the High Council and Bishop called in question the authority of W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer in locating and laying out the city of Far West, and they were tried for this and possibly on other charges were expelled from the Church.
In the "History of Joseph Smith" published in the Millennial Star of Jan. 7, 1854, is the following letter from W. W. Phelps which gives some interesting information as to the growth of the new city. It is here given in full :
"Far West, Mo., July 7, 1837. Monday, the third day of July, was a great and glorious day in Far West, more than fifteen hundred Saints assembled at this place, and at half past eight in the morning, after prayer, singing, and an address, proceeded to break ground for the Lord's House. The day was beautiful; the Spirit of the Lord was with us. A cellar for this great edifice one hundred ten feet long by eighty feet broad, was nearly finished. On Tuesday the fourth, we had a large meeting and several of the Missourians were baptized; our meetings held in the open prairie were larger than they were in Kirtland, when I was there. We had more or less to bless, confirm and baptize, every Sabbath. This same day our school section was sold at auction, and although entirely prairie, it brought, on a year's credit, from $3.50 to $10.20 per acre, making our
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first school fund $5,070.00 !! Land cannot be had around town, now, much less than ten dollars per acre.
"Our numbers increase daily, and notwithstanding the season has been cold and backward, no one has lacked a meal, or went hungry. Pro- visions have risen, but not as high as accounts say they are abroad. Public notice has been given by the mob in Daviess County, north of us, for the Mormons to leave that county by the first of August, and go into Caldwell; our enemies will not slumber till Satan knows the bigness of his lot. Our town gains some, we have about one hundred buildings, eight of which are stores. If the brethern abroad are wise, and will come on with means, and help enter the land, and populate the county, and build the Lord's House, we shall soon have one of the most precious spots on the globe; God grant that it may be so. Of late, we receive little news from you, and we think much of that is exaggerated. As ever,
"W. W. Phelps."
Many of the leading authorities of the Mormon Church came to Far West to make their homes, among them being Bishop Edward Partridge, Sidney Rigdon, Philo Dibble, Elias Higbee, John Whitmer, Oliver Cowdrey and many others. In March, 1838, came Joseph Smith, President and founder of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, herein for brevity's sake called "Mormons" and he was accompanied by his brother Samuel H. Smith and by Brigham Young, Daniel S. Miles and Levi Richards. Later came John Taylor, Lyman Wright, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Hyde, Thos. B. Marsh, G. W. Hinkle and Alexander McRae. Among the resi- dents of Far West was also John D. Lee, the leader in famous Mountain Meadow Massacre, which occurred a few years later of whom more will be mentioned later in this narrative.
There is reason to believe that at this early day the practice of poly- gamy might have had a beginning at Far West. Oliver Cowdery a very prominent leader in the Church was charged before the High Council "for seeking to destroy the character of President Joseph Smith, junior, by falsely insinuating that he was guilty of adultery," etc., and for other offenses, however, this charge was sustained and Cowdery was no longer considered a member of the Church. David Whitmer another leading character of the new city was tried before the High Council about the same time as was also Lyman E. Johnson and expelled from the Church.
Far West continued to prosper and grow in importance as the head- quarters of the Mormons and on April 26, 1838, a "revelation" was
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received "making known the will of God concerning the building up of this place and the Lord's House," etc., which as recorded in the Millennial Star of March 11, 1854, contained the following among other things, to-wit:
"Let the city, Far West, be a Holy and consecrated land unto me, and it shall be called most Holy; therefore, I cammand you to build an house unto me, for the gathering together of my Saints, that they may worship me; and let there be a beginning of this work, and a foundation, and a preparatory work, this following summer; and let the beginning be made on the fourth day of July next, and from that time forth let my people labor diligently to build an house unto my name, and in one year from this day let them re-commence the laying the foundation of my house; thus let them from that time forth labor diligently until it shall be finished, from the corner stone thereof unto the top thereof, until there shall not anything remain that is not finished.
Verily I say unto you, let not my servant Sidney, neither my servant Hyrum, get in debt any more for the building of an house unto my name ; but let an house be built unto my name according to the pattern which I will show unto them. And if my people build it not according to the pattern which I shall show unto them, I will not accept it at their hands ; but if my people do build it according to the pattern which I shall show unto their Presidency, even my servant Joseph and his counsellors, then I will accept it at the hands of my people.
"And again verily, I say unto you, it is my will that the city of Far West should be built up speedily by the gathering of my Saints and also that other places should be appointed for Stakes in the regions round about, as they shall be manifest to my servant Joseph, from time to time; for behold, I will be with him, and I will sanctify him, before the people, for unto him have I given the keys of this kingdom and ministry. Even so, Amen."
According to this revelation preparations were made for the building of a grand temple with great ceremony and as reported in the publication referred to above "Joseph Smith, Jr., was President of the day; Hyrum Smith, Vice-President; Sidney Rigdon, Orator; Reynolds Cahoon, Chief Marshall, and George W. Robinson, Clerk.
"The order of the day was splendid. The procession commenced form- ing at 10 o'clock a. m., in the following order: First, the Infantry ; second, the Patriarch of the Church, the President, Vice-President and Orator;
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the Twelve Presidents of the Stake, the High Council; Bishop and Council ; Architects, Ladies and Gentlemen, and the Cavalry in rear. The proces- sion was large, marched to music, and formed a circle round the excava- tion, with the ladies in front, when the south corner stone of the Lord's House in Far West, Mo., was laid by the Presidents of the Stake, assisted by twelve men; the northwest corner by the Bishop, assisted by twelve men; the northeast corner by the President of the Teachers, assisted by twelve men. This house is to be one hundred ten feet long and eighty feet broad. After which the Oration was delivered by President Rigdon, at the close of which was a shout of Hosanna and a song, composed for he occasion by Levi Hancock. The most perfect order prevailed through- out the day."
The first postoffice in Caldwell County was at Far West and the first post master was W. W. Phelps. When Phelps was expelled from the Church he resigned and Sidney Rigdon was recommended to the Postmaster Gen- eral and succeeded Phelps. At a meeting of the Council in August, 1838, it was unanimously agreed that a weekly newspaper be established and that Sidney Rigdon be the editor. It was also voted to circulate a peti- tion to locate the county seat at Far West and this was later done in response to such petition.
CHAPTER VIII.
STORM CLOUDS APPEAR.
HOSTILITY TO MORMONS-MORMONS AND GENTILES CLASH-MORMONS' ATTITUDE STATED-ELECTION RIOTS-PREPARATIONS OF WAR.
It will be remembered that Caldwell County was organized for the express purpose of providing a place for the Mormon people to establish a community and that they were not to locate in other counties in the state unless permission was secured from the inhabitants thereof.
Whether or not this permission was ever obtained a careful search of all available historical data does not disclose such information. But the fact remains that the Mormons settled in large numbers in Daviess and Livingston counties, also some in Clinton County and other parts of north- west Missouri.
The hostility of the people of Jackson County towards the Mormons and Mormonism has already been noted. In time this hostility existed in every county where the Mormons settled, save possibly in Clay County. Ray County Gentiles hated them; Carroll County Gentiles detested them ; Daviess County Gentiles vowed hostilities against them and because of the fact perhaps, that there were a larger number in that county than elsewhere, outside of Caldwell County, and also a larger number of Gen- tiles, it was not long until bitter feuds arose between the Mormons and Gentiles. The latter claimed that the Mormon occupation of that county at Adam-on-Diahman and elsewhere had been accomplished by fraud and force and without the consent of the settlers already there. They avowed that the doctrine of Mormonism was as obnoxious to them as the presence of its believers or their practices, and that they would no longer tolerate either in their midst. Dreadful stories were told of the conduct of the Mormons. They were said to be Abolitionists, who had designs upon the institution of slavery in the state. Certain of their speakers had from time to time declared that "the earth is the Lord's" and that He had
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given certain portions of it to His Saints and that this gift included not only the land but everything thereon, the flocks and herds of the wicked unbelievers and everything that pertained to their occupation and enjoy- ment of this section of country. These declarations were, doubtless, often misquoted and distorted and certain small depredations of irresponsible Mormons were magnified in the telling until the Gentiles became very bit- ter against the Mormons, and they in turn at the Gentiles, claiming that they were being persecuted. Many Gentiles claimed that the Mormons were horse thieves and cattle thieves and that their leaders had instructed them they were entitled to possession of any property the Lord had given them whether it was in the possession of a Gentile or not and that they went about pilfering and carrying away property to which they had no right of possession. It was also claimed that the Mormons were insolent and overbearing, that their religion was little short of blasphemy.
On the part of the Mormons it was claimed that the only cause of complaint against them was that they had come into a new country, were subduing the same, had opened up fine farms which their Gentile neigh- bors coveted; that the charges of thievery and robbery were without foundation, but that the Gentiles themselves were the thieves and rob- bers, and had frequently taken and converted to their own use the prop- erty of their Mormon neighbors, alleging that, in the case of certain horses and cattle, the animals had trespassed upon them; that only in a few instances certain Mormons had taken by way of reprisal a few head of horses and held them until certain other Mormon property which had been taken by the Gentiles had been restored, but that this had been con- demned severely by the church authorities and would not be repeated; that the Gentiles were insulting and brutal in their conduct and assaulted and beat the Mormons without any provocation, and that they insulted and abused their women.
In the midst of these conditions, Sidney Rigdon, the Orator of the Day at the Far West celebration, July 4, 1838, hereinbefore referred to, in his speech that day, which was doubtless heard by a few Gentiles who gave their version of it, gave fuel to the flame that was already beginning to threaten destruction to the hopes of the Mormon people. This speech is reported in the "History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints," Vol. 2, page 157. In the closing part of his speech he said:
"Our cheeks have been given to the smiters, and our heads to those who have plucked off the hair. We have not only when smitten on one
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cheek turned the other, but we have done it again and again, until we are wearied of being smitten and tired of being trampled upon.
"We have proved the world with kindness; we have suffered their abuse without cause, with patience, and have endured without resentment until this day, and still their persecutions and violence do not cease.
"But from this day and this hour we will suffer it no more. We take God and all the holy angels to witness this day that we warn all men, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come on us no more forever; for, from this hour, we will bear it no more; our rights shall no more be trampled on with impunity ; the man, or the set of men, who attempts it, does it at the expense of their lives. And that mob that comes on us to disturb 'us, it shall be between us and them a war of extermination; for we will follow them until the last drop of their blood is spilled, or else they will have to exterminate us; for we will carry the seat of war to their own houses and to their families, and one party or the other shall be utterly destroyed. Remember it, then, all men !"
"No man shall be at liberty to come into our streets to threaten us with mobs, for if he does, he shall atone for it before he leaves the place; neither shall he be at liberty to vilify and slander any of us for suffer it we will not in this place. We therefore take all men to record this day, that we proclaim our liberty this day, as did our fathers; and we pledge this day to one another, our fortunes, our lives, and our sacred honors, to be delivered from the persecutions which we have had to endure for the last nine years, or nearly that time. Neither will we indulge any man or set of men in instituting vexatious law suits against us, to cheat us out of our rights; if they attempt it, we say woe be unto them! We, this day, then, proclaim ourselves free, with a purpose and a determination that can never be broken."
In commenting upon this speech the history from which this is quoted says: "If it be granted that this speech is correctly reported by Hunt, the orator crossed the bounds of propriety and right in boasting, and bid- ding defiance to the mob; but he may be measurably excused when we consider how much persecution and oppression they had been subjected to; and how they had been driven from place to place, robbed, and despoiled of their homes, possessions and sacred rights. And even at that time they were hearing the mutterings of the mob, who, bent on plunder, was threatening their peace. Naturally they might be expected to resent anp further aggressions and with patriotic courage to defend
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their homes and loved ones. The only legitimate criticism that can be made is that, considering their profession, they should have been governed more by the spirit of the gospel and less by their natural inclintion. We acknowledge the strength of this criticism, yet as men we can but admire the manhood, patriotism and heroism that strikes in defense of home and liberty. While we acknowledge, with regret, the weaknesses of our fathers, we hope we shall always honor them for the strength and virtue they displayed in these dark hours when harrassed by foes and betrayed by friends."
At the August election, 1838, a riot occurred at Gallatin between the Mormons and the Gentiles. The latter refused to allow the Mormons to vote. According to the "Millennial Star," one William P. Peniston mounted a barrel and harangued the crowd saying that the Mormons were thieves, liars and counterfeiters, referred to their religion in a scoffing manner and worked the mob into such a state that a general fight occurred in which two Gentiles were killed and several were wounded. Both sides then armed to defend themselves and a guerrilla warfare ensued for some weeks. The people of Daviess and Livingston counties petitioned Governor Boggs to remove the Mormons from the state.
From that time on there were many clashes between the two factions and many were injured on both sides and a dreadful state of affairs pre- vailed. The Mormons appealed to General Atchison and to Judge Austin A. King, at Richmond, who came and investigated the trouble and found that citizens of Daviess County to the number of about three hundred had assembled and were threatening the extermination of the Mormons. General Atchison order out militia to protect the Mormons and to pre- serve the peace. The troops, however, were not at all in sympathy with the Mormons whom they came to protect and General Atchison deter- mined to evacuate the country as soon as a semblance of peace could be had. Even before the militia quitted Daviess County the Gentiles had declared war against the Mormons and had begun firing upon them wherever opportunity was presented, burning a number of homes and carrying away property and driving away cattle and horses. The Mor- mons retaliated. Joseph Smith sent reinforcements from Far West and called out every able bodied man and boy capable of bearing arms. Armed bands of both Gentiles and Mormons roamed over the country, burning houses, barns and stacks of grain. Pillaging and robbery were very com- mon. In his "Life and Confessions" John D. Lee said and Joseph Smith
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declared on this occasion that it was a civil war and that by the rules of war each party was justified in spoiling his enemy. "This," said Lee, "opened the doors to the evil disposed, and men of former quiet became perfect demons in their efforts to spoil and waste way the enemies of the Church."
Gallatin, then a hamlet of a half dozen houses, was sacked and burned. John D. Lee further says: "Many houses were burned and much damage done by the Mormons, and they captured a howitzer and many guns from the Gentiles. *
* Men stole simply for the love of stealing. Such inexcusable acts of lawlessness aroused every Gentile in the three counties of Caldwell, Daviess and Carroll and brought swarms of armed Gentiles from other localities.
Meantime, the Mormons in Caldwell County had been preparing for war.
A regiment of state militia had been organized in the county pre- viously, and were Mormon to a man and were commanded by Lyman Wright. About this time the "Danites" or "Destroying Angels" were organized of the bravest and best of those who were considered true Mor- mons for the special purpose of burning and destroying. Guns were gathered and put in order and amunition secured.
There could be but one result of these preparations and the hope for a peaceful community at the new "Zion" of the Mormons fled before these warlike conditions and they were again to see the storm clouds lower and destruction was fast approaching.
CHAPTER IX.
THE MORMON WAR.
SAINTS ORDERED TO FAR WEST-TROUBLE IN OTHER COUNTIES CAPTAIN SAM- UEL BOUGART'S COMPANY-THE FIGHT ON CROOKED RIVER-ITS EFFECT- GOVERNOR BOGGS' ORDERS TO GENERAL CLARK-MOBILIZATION OF TROOPS-HAUN'S MILL-OPPOSING FORCES- CASUALTIES-ACTIVITY ON GRAND RIVER-CENTER OF CONFLICT.
In Vol. XVI of the Millennial Star at page 406, in the History of Joseph Smith, under date of Oct. 23, 1838, appears this entry :
"News came to Far West this morning, that the brethren had found a cannon, which the mob brought from Independence, buried in the earth, and had secured it by order of General Parks. The word of the Lord was given several months since, for the Saints to gather into the cities, but they have been slow to obey until the judgments were upon them, and now they are gathering by flight and haste, leaving all their effects, and are glad to get off at that. The city of Far West is literally crowded, and the brethern are gathering from all quarters."
Troubles thickened and multiplied. In Carroll County the citizens attempted the expulsion of the Mormons, numbering about 600 at DeWitt. Re-enforced by citizens from Ray, Clay, Jackson, Saline, and other coun- ties they beseiged DeWitt for a few days. The Mormons were re-enforced by a company from Far West under Col. Lyman Wright. The Mormons finally surrendered and agreed to leave the county. The citizens paid them the money they had given for the town site, but allowed them nothing for the improvements placed thereon and the Mormons left for Far West, many making the journey on foot.
A company of "patrols" in Ray County in command of Capt. Samuel Bogart had been scouting through the country, and wherever they met Mormons they drove them out of Ray into Caldwell County. Bogart sent word to the Mormon militia at Far West that he was coming up to clean
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them out and a few days later news came that he was on his way at the head of a strong and well armed force. Capt. David Patton was sent with about 50 men to repel the invaders. He learned that Bogart and his men were camped on Crooked River in Ray County and resolved to attack them. Keeping under cover of the timber and making a night march he arrived near the camp just before daybreak and suddenly sprang upon the Gentiles who numbered about 35 men. It only took a few minutes to put them to rout, but Captain Patton was mortally wounded and died that night after being carried back to Far West. The Mormons also lost two other men while others were wounded more or less severely. Bogart lost one man killed and six wounded.
The death of Captain Patton and his companions cast a gloom over the city. It robbed many of the belief that the Saints were invincible and supernaturally protected, as they had believed that they were immune from the weapons of the Gentiles.
The news of the fight at Crooked River spread fast and caused intense excitement. The Gentiles in the northern part of Ray fled south to Rich- mond and elsewhere for safety, believing that the Mormons would soon make another raid upon them.
A letter written Oct. 25, 1838, by one E. M. Ryland and published in the Millennial Star shows the state of conditions at this time. After tell- ing of the fight at Crooked River and of impending invasions of the Mor- mons, he said: "We have sent from this county, since one o'clock this evening, about 100 well armed and daring men, perhaps the most effective our county can boast of. They will certainly give them (the Mormons) a warm reception at Richmond tonight. You will see the necessity of hurrying on to the city of Jefferson and also of imparting correct infor- mation to the public as you go along. My impression is, that you had better send one of your number to Howard, Cooper and Boone counties, in order that volunteers may be getting ready and flocking to the scene of trouble as fast as possible. They must make haste and put a stop to the devastation which is menaced by these infuriated fanatics, and they must go prepared and with full determination to exterminate them or expel them from the state en masse. The Mormons must leave the state." This letter was written to one Adam Rees, at Lexington, Mo., who at once reported these things to Governor Boggs who issued the following order:
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"Headquarters Militia, City of Jefferson, Oct. 27, 1838.
Sir-Since the order of the morning to you, directing you to cause four hundred mounted men to be raised within your division, I have received by Adam Rees, Esq., one of my aids, information of the most appalling character, which changes the whole face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of open and avowed defiance to the laws, and having made open war upon the people of this state. Your orders are therefore, to hasten your operations and endeavor to reach Richmond, in Ray County, with all possible speed. The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if neces- sary for the public good. Their outrages are beyond all description. If you can increase your force, you are authorized to do so, to any extent that you think necessary. I have just issued orders to Major-General Wallock, of Marion County, to raise 500 men, and to march them to the northern part of Daviess County and there unite with General Doniphan, of Clay, who has been ordered with 500 men to proceed to the same point for the purpose of intercepting the retreat of the Mormons to the north. They have been directed to communicate with you by express; you can also communicate with them if you find it necessary. Instead, therefore, of proceeding, as at first directed, to reinstate the citizens of Daviess Coun- ty in their homes, you will proceed immediately to Richmond, and there operate against the Mormons. Brigadier-General Parks, of Ray, has been ordered to have 400 men of his brigade in readiness to join you at Rich- mond. The whole force will be placed under your command.
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